Automotive and Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Background
Keeping automotive and heavy equipment in good working condition is vital to the success of military missions. Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics repair bulldozers, power shovels, and other construction equipment. Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics maintain and repair vehicles such as humvees, cars, trucks, tanks, and other combat vehicles.
What They Do
Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Establish and follow schedules for maintaining vehicles
- Replace or repair damaged body parts, hydraulic arms or shovels, and grader blades
- Troubleshoot problems in vehicle engines, electrical systems, steering, brakes, and suspensions
- Tune and repair engines
Physical Demands
Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics may have to lift heavy parts and tools. They sometimes have to work in cramped positions. Normal color vision is required for some specialties to work with color-coded wiring and to read diagrams.
Special Requirements
No information available.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Interest in automotive engines and how they work
- Interest in troubleshooting and repairing mechanical problems
- Preference for physical work
Helpful School Subjects
Helpful school subjects include:
- Auto mechanics
- Industrial arts
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics usually work inside large repair garages. They work outdoors when making emergency repairs in the field.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for enlisted personnel.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
Job training consists of eight to 29 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty.
Course content typically includes:
- Engine repair and tune-up
- Repairing and replacing body panels, fenders, and radiators
- Troubleshooting mechanical and electrical problems
Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian automotive and heavy equipment mechanics may work for service stations, auto and construction equipment dealers, farm equipment companies, and state highway agencies. They perform duties similar to military automotive and heavy equipment mechanics. They may also be called garage mechanics, transmission mechanics, radiator mechanics, or construction equipment mechanics.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 45,000 automotive and heavy equipment mechanics. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new mechanics due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, mechanics begin repairing equipment under the direction of a supervisor. In time, they have the opportunity to supervise other workers and possibly manage repair shops, motor pools, or maintenance units.